magazine
sHawnee
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2011
$3.00
Dear
Vol. 5 / No. 1
Reader
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Editor Designer/Art Director Copy Editor Account Executive Ad Designers Chief Photographers Contributing Writers General Manager Publishing Coordinator
magazine
sHawnee
Katy Ibsen Shelly Bryant Claire M. Caterer Mary Hay 913.631.1611 Janella L. Williams Jason Dailey Kim Antisdel Claire M. Caterer Gloria Gale Vince Meserko Kimberly Winter Stern Kelli White Bert Hull Faryle Scott
Subscriptions $22 for a one-year subscription to Shawnee Magazine.
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Katy Ibsen editor
shawnee magazine
Shawnee Magazine is a publication of Sunflower Publishing, a division of The World Company. www.sunflowerpub.com
countless stories, amazing sources, beautiful photographs, outstanding contributors and a following unmatched by any other community in Johnson County, Shawnee Magazine says hello to its fifth year in print. That’s right, the very publication you hold is growing up and we believe such a milestone in a magazine’s life is worth celebrating. With that in mind, you’ll notice a new look to a familiar product. With the help of our talented art director, Shelly Bryant, we’ve updated our design to match the sophistication of being … 5 years old. Likewise, we’ve freshened up our editorial efforts and expanded our coverage to include stories on residents who work and play outside the community. So this season, we’ve prepared a homage to all we hope to achieve in the upcoming issues. We start with a beer. Two local brewers share their passion, hops and malts with us as we explore the popular hobby of home brewing. May we suggest you enjoy a local craft brew while flipping through this issue. We continue to take you inside distinctive homes this season; one in particular is all about the details. Our profile of the Dreiling home’s unique design and furnishings combines photographs and bullet points to describe how this couple flipped a spec house into a dream home at little cost. And for your own home, you’ll want to know about Mercato Italian Antiques & Artifacts. This hidden gem in DeSoto has been furnishing homes in Shawnee for a few years with fine Italian flair. For the edgier reader, check out our story on the KC Roller Warriors. These bad-tothe-bone babes are taking it to the rink in style. Lastly, we share some time with a few well-known entities in the area looking for the community’s dirtiest jobs. Whether it’s dog washing, fixing engines or moving trash, these professionals inspire admiration for their hands-on attitude. We hope you enjoy the new and improved Shawnee Magazine as we begin to celebrate another great year.
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For subscription information, please contact: Christopher J. Bell 609 New Hampshire, P.O. Box 888 Lawrence, KS 66044 (800) 578-8748 | Fax (785) 843-1922 Or e-mail comments to shawneemagazine@sunflower.com
Looking at 16 issues,
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Contents
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features 34 Bringing Italy Home Mary Lies of Mercato Italian Antiques and Artifacts
40 Jobs That Get Down and Dirty Those seeking a squeaky-clean occupation need not apply story BY kimberly winter stern | photography by jason dailey
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Story by Claire M. Caterer | Photography by Jason Dailey
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on the cover On the cover a coveted bottle of Ashley Strube’s home brewed beer. {Photography by Jason Dailey}
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departments shawnee living
shawnee businesses
Shawnee home features expansive space for young family immersed in an energetic lifestyle
is a rib-sticking barbecue sauce with good taste and a good story
10 Resident Modification
health & fitness
By taking away and adding some, one spec home becomes a dream
24 High Rollers Kansas City Roller Warriors attracts gals from Shawnee
shawnee profiles
for the family
06 City in the Country
through the craft of home brewing
in every issue 03 Dear Reader 46 Shawnee Event Spotlight
18 Shawnee Citizens’ Police Academy Where everyone learns to keep the streets safe
get away
30 Steep and Deep Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but this icy sparkler is a true gem
shawnee magazine
28 KC by Compass Area activities perfect for families and fall-time fun
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14 Shawnee’s Strange Brew Residents share their love of beer
20 Gettin’ Saucy Rufus Teague
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city in the story by Gloria Gale
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photography by jason dailey
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country
Shawnee home features expansive space for young family immersed in an energetic lifestyle
Brad and Patty Danielses’ home is a bit of an enigma. On approach, the almost 10,000-squarefoot house, sitting on just less than two acres, looks like the model of suburban decorum. Inside, however, the scene is a hub of activity that diverges from the home’s cool outward demeanor. “We have a big, active family—four children ranging in age from 23 to 13,” says Brad. The Danielses’ athletic family welcomes friends of all ages, keeping their home abuzz with activity. “We have a lot of parties with a lot of people that somehow always revolve around the kitchen/family room,” says Brad. “As a result, we wanted to make sure we had plenty of room to spread out, not to mention big doorways to move the traffic through.” The Danielses admit they have a lot of visitors who like to think they’re out in the country. “Actually, we’re not in the country at all—just a few blocks from the amenities in Shawnee,” says Patty, acknowledging the move to build in Shawnee was deliberate. “We lived in a nearby subdivision previously and really like this area,” says Brad, a businessman, commenting that both he and Patty, a pediatrician, grew up in Shawnee. From the Ground Up Now that the house is finished, Brad thinks back on the experience. “When the property became available in 2001, we selected a double lot and worked for two years with architect William Corey and builder Lyle Holthouse on the design,” says Brad. “The design process took awhile since Bill was so exacting. When we finally approved the plans, construction took about 18 to 20 months—everything went smoothly.” There’s no doubt the Daniels family loves the home, but when they moved in, Brad and Patty realized it was a lot of real estate to decorate. They called on interior designer Cathy Dykman-Cunard. Collectively
The Daniels built their beautiful home in Shawnee after falling in love with the area.
Dr. Edward A. Nelson, D.D.S., P.A.
Anna
Shawnee Mission Northwest
photosbykeri.blogspot.com Shawnee Endodontics is a dental practice specializing in root canal treatment and is currently accepting patients to its Shawnee office for their endodontic needs. Dr. Nelson is board certified in endodontics and is a specialist member of the American Association of Endodontists. He received his dental degree from the University of Iowa and became a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics in 2008.
Dr. Nelson provides the following endodontic services: • Consultation & Diagnosis • Non-Surgical Root Canal Therapy • Non-Surgical Root Canal Retreatment • Surgical Root Canal Treatment • Oral Facial Pain Diagnosis
over years
20 creating beautiful smiles.
Shawnee Endodontics is located one block east of the Johnson Drive and K-7 Highway interchange. We welcome Mastercard, Visa, Discover, Diner’s Club, American Express and CareCredit. Most major dental insurance plans are accepted. 5407 Roberts Street, Shawnee, KS 66226 913-971-4050 or 913-712-9865 | www.shawneeendo.com
7505 Quivira Lenexa/Shawnee 913-268-5559 | www.HannahBraces.com
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TOP The dining room provides plenty of space for entertaining, which the family of six does often. INSET Brad and Patty Daniels. ABOVE The basement is full of fun and KU memorabilia making it the perfect place for get togethers.
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they decided on a bright and lively interior. A sunny disposition is immediately apparent in an easy-to-live-with palette of red, yellow and blue that begins at the front door. The dining room, just off the foyer, is formal yet not austere. The room is decorated traditionally with a suite of cherrywood furnishings. The walls draw attention with a unique tissue treatment overlaid with metallic blue-gray paint, applied by faux artist Mary Walker. The adjacent living room, one of the brightest areas in the house, features a vivid red wall color called Poinsettia that perfectly accentuates the buttercolored cotton sofa and 14-foot, white-painted wood mantel.
ABOVE LEFT A bedroom exudes bright energy, as found in many of the home’s rooms. ABOVE RIGHT The Danielses used plenty of color when decorating their 10,000 square-foot house.
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Favorites Brad, an avid University of Kansas fan, is particularly fond of the mudroom just off the kitchen. “Each of us has our own locker—the ideal solution for all the gear that accumulates. I also really like the shower in this room designed with -Brad Daniels the KU Jayhawk imprinted on the wall,” he says. His other favorite spot: the barn located on the western edge of the property. “The barn holds a half basketball court, batting cage and a selfservice carwash,” says Brad, who is also a basketball coach. “All our
Party Time Brad beams as he heads downstairs to a generous-sized family recreation room filled with goodies. The handsome bar area is complete with margarita machine, a University of Kansas pub table and three retro-styled black pub tables. Entertainment amenities include a big-screen television, home theater, pinball machine, two slot machines and game tables for air hockey, Foosball, and shuffleboard. “There’s also more storage areas, craft room and complete exercise room,” he says. Considering the house is routinely filled with guests, Brad and Patty designed the 1,450-square-foot dream space as a place to kick back and relax. “That’s the bottom line. This house is usually a very busy place. We enjoy all of the company and want to make sure this is a place where our friends and family feel comfortable,” says Brad. Would they build again? Patty eyes her husband for a moment but Brad, perfectly comfortable with this house and the overall experience, is quick to answer. “I think so.”
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“We enjoy all of the company and want to make sure this is a place where our friends and family feel comfortable.”
kids and their friends use it, so it keeps them close-by and I can schedule practices whenever I want—two reasons to have it on-site.” Decorated in a sweep of soft, spa blue, the master bedroom is modest compared to other spaces in the house. “We wanted to put more square footage into the master bath and closet rather than the bedroom,” she says. The result is a master bathroom that’s slightly bigger than the master bedroom. All of the children’s bedrooms are upstairs, each papered or painted vibrantly in kid-conscious décor. “Our daughter’s room is fuchsia and yellow, one boy’s room is crimson red and the other two boys’ rooms are papered in a fun, surf-culture motif,” says Patty.
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story by Kim Antisdel
Modification By taking away and adding some, one spec home becomes a dream
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photography by jason dailey
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When the time came to build their Shawnee home,
Bart and Kim Dreiling became proponents of a word many homeowners often shy away from—remove. “I love architecture. I studied it in college and my first job was actually at an architecture firm,” says Bart. “I know what I want and how I want it, and with this home, I wasn’t afraid to ask for it.” As president and co-owner of Structurflex, a New Zealand-based manufacturer of tensioned membrane structures, he would know. While the Dreilings were building their new home in 2005, they opted out of the regular finishes, colors and materials that were selected by the contractor of the subdivision. This was the start of their intentions to—remove. “We built our home before this as well, so we did have an idea of what we were in for in changing things to fit our tastes,” says Bart. To many, the desire or financial ability to add elements like new carpeting or wainscoting during the build stage is a big undertaking. The Dreilings, however, managed to defy this by simply taking away the traditional details and adding their own. “Structural changes are expensive, so we left the floor plan alone,” Bart says. “We found ways to eliminate unnecessary elements that took away from the style we wanted.”
Service for all of your automotive needs
Martin Family Dentistry, P.A. Steven K. Martin, D.D.S. Alan J. Martin, D.D.S. Philip H. Martin, D.D.S.
Proudly serving the community since 1937
After
5912 Nieman Road | 913-631-9877
We offer a variety of cosmetic services, including all-porcelain crowns and veneers to reshape and restore your smile. We use Cerec technology to create custom ceramic restorations.
Before
donovan’s service
Serving the Shawnee community for over forty years. Founded in 1964 by, our father, Dr. Gorby R. Martin.
Other dental services include—cosmetic fillings, root canals, extractions, dentures, cleanings, periodontal procedures and implant restorations. We strive for patient comfort and satisfaction to help you keep your teeth for a lifetime.
Located in the heart of downtown Shawnee! (913) 631-4373 | 6130 Nieman Road | Shawnee, Kansas 66203
www.drmartindds.com
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living
First to go was the standard ornate crown molding and curvilinear trim that they found distracting and heavy. Carpet on the main floor also was removed from the plans in exchange for hardwood maple flooring. Elaborate crown molding intended for the fireplace went straight to the delete pile, though not without debate. The home builder wasn’t sure that Bart’s modifications would work. “I told the builder to just build me a simple box for the fireplace that I could cover with tile,” he says. “He thought I was completely crazy. I think it was just so simple it confused him. Eventually I met him on-site and sketched a detail of exactly what I wanted, and it worked out.” Other seemingly minor features the Dreilings removed from the standard plans were the decorative fixtures recommended for their home. “We provided all of our own faucets in this house,” Bart says. “It was a good way to get the cleaner, more unique look we wanted without spending a lot of money.” It was the Dreilings’ ability to see things differently that proved to be a bonus on the exterior of the house as well. The home’s lot backs straight up to the elementary, middle and high schools that their 3-year-old son, Brooks, will someday attend. “The school’s tennis court is essentially our backyard,” says Kim. “This was one of the last lots left because people thought it would be too noisy. We found the exact opposite to be true. We think we have one of the best spots in Shawnee.”
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Cozy and Clean
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The Dreilings designed this four-bedroom, threeand-a-half-bath home in 2005 and never once hesitated to be clear on their design direction. What was once meant to be an ornate and scrolled fireplace was quickly altered by Bart to achieve a simple, classic look.
Reinventing Entertainment “I love clean lines and I love walnut,” says Bart. Nowhere is that more evident than in the basement entertainment room. A floor to ceiling walnut wall cleverly hides television wires while still managing to look like a piece of art. “I designed this wall out so you can access it in the panels,” Bart says. “Some simple perforated metal allows sound from the speakers behind the wall to come through. Now if I ever want to switch out my speakers, I can, and the wall won’t change.”
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Simple Solutions When it came to building the kitchen, common sense helped avoid ordering specialty cabinets. “The standard door was actually a raised panel. We liked the shaker style and to achieve that, we simply asked the cabinetmaker to reverse the panel so the backside showed on the front,” Bart says. “We also ran a consistent level at the top of the cabinets in order to achieve a cleaner look.”
From Mom, with Love The distinctive chairs in the Dreilings’ kitchen tell a story of design that began at home. “My mom was an antique dealer and is basically responsible for my design sensibility,” says Bart. “She found these two chairs at a garage sale and bought them for me. Sometime later, I was at a bar and realized I was sitting on the very chairs my mom found for me.” Bart bargained with the owner and took home six more chairs. A little polish and updated upholstery transformed the chairs into a family heirloom. To make it a true family affair, Bart designed and built the oak kitchen table the chairs rest beneath.
Rescued Residents
Kim’s favorite room of the house invokes calm and tranquility. “The master bedroom is the one place where I can finally take some time to sit still,” she says. “That’s my favorite time to read and relax.”
shawnee magazine
Quiet Time
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The Dreiling home comes alive with classical pieces such as Charles and Ray Eames molded-plywood chairs in the family room. More important are the animals that find rest there. Bart and Kim have rescued two cats and one Boston terrier dog. “It wouldn’t be a home without them,” says Kim.
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local
profiles story by Vince Meserko
shawnee magazine
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photography by Jason Dailey
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shawnee’s
strange brew
Residents share their love of beer through the craft of home brewing
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profiles
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For Shawnee resident Ashley Strube, the idea had been fermenting a long time. Unhappy with drinking run-of-the-mill American lagers like Bud Light or Miller Lite, Strube was ready to try a beer with a little more kick, a bigger bite, maybe even something “sour and funky.” However, rather than switching to a different, more refined craft beer, he and his friends decided to brew their own. “We finally had time to hang out. We kind of all brewed the first batch together,” Strube says. “I just needed something that tasted better.” Strube began home brewing in 2006 as he was completing his degree from Kansas State University in mechanical engineering. While his engineering degree may have helped him tinker with more elaborate setups, Strube describes the process of home brewing as quite easy. No labyrinthine underground setups are required. “There are different levels of involvement, but you can have no knowledge and still make good beer,” he says. “You start out with just a brew pot and a bucket, and you do it on your stove in your kitchen.” For beginners the process involves mixing malt extract with water, boiling the water for an hour, throwing in some hops, cooling it down and adding yeast. “A week later you have beer,” says Strube, who has now moved on to a more advanced brewing process called all-grain. His first home-brew was oatmeal stout, but since then Strube has been experimenting with other beers. Currently he is working on a Russian Imperial Stout, which is aged in a 55-gallon oak barrel that he has added cocoa nibs and vanilla beans to; he’ll bottle it this fall for an excellent brew this winter. He’s not content, however, with replicating tired recipes or keeping things predictable. Part of the appeal of home brewing is discovering the novel and tweaking the conventional. “You’re always trying to think of something new. If I go somewhere now, I’m always trying something I haven’t had before,” Strube says. Another Shawnee home brewer, Mike Flynn, echoes Strube’s sentiment. “It’s like walking into a candy store. Since I’ve started brewing there are so many different types of beer I like, and I want to try them all,” Flynn says. The kid-in-the-candy-store effect illustrates the reality of the current craft beer market. Beer drinkers may have once been satisfied with a Pabst Blue Ribbon, Hamm’s or Budweiser, but in the world of home brewing, such iconic labels seem staid. For the less adventurous drinker who mainly sticks to unassuming lagers, Flynn offers the following shorthand lesson: IPAs (India Pale Ale) are typically very bitter as a result of a lot of hops (flower clusters). According to Flynn, regular pale ales are characterized by their hops-infused taste but might be considerably less bitter than an IPA. Stouts, which use roasted malt or barley, are
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TOP Mike Flynn is a Shawnee home brewer who took up the craft after becoming tired of the average American lager.
local
profiles Looking for a local beer guild or brewer organization? Check these out. Kansas City Bier Meisters: A not-for-profit organization dedicated to the art and science of brewing. The group is open to the public and subject to the provisions of the bylaws. Membership dues are $15 year for individuals and $22.50 for families. www.kcbiermeisters.org Lawrence Brewers Guild: Holds monthly meetings in Lawrence. Visitors and members are encouraged to bring samples of their home brew (beer, wine, mead etc.) or unique commercial examples to meetings. http://lawrencebrewers.org
often described as being creamy or having an intended or unintended chocolate or oatmeal flavor. While the number of varieties may seem dizzying, Flynn, like Strube, insists that home brewing is actually quite easy. “It’s fairly straightforward. You can keep it simple and be satisfied. I’ve made about 70 gallons of beer so far and I don’t think I’ve had one batch come out bad yet. Fortunately, things have worked out,” Flynn says. Part of Strube and Flynn’s success is their avoidance of one of the most pervasive missteps that novice home brewers often make. “Beginning home brewers are always wanting to brew that really strong beer. Really, they should be -Mike Flynn doing a 5 percent beer so they’re not disappointed with their first batch,” Strube says. Anything past 10 percent alcohol content becomes incredibly difficult to achieve.
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“It’s like walking into a candy store. Since I’ve started brewing there are so many different types of beer I like.”
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TOP RIGHT Ashely Strube has created a man cave for home brewing. This hobby has even resulted in a mini beer fest among friends known as Maifest.
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profiles While Strube and Flynn enjoy drinking beer, it is the process of making it and giving it away that is more satisfying than the buzz that comes after an empty glass. “I’m always giving it out to share with people. That’s half the reason I do it,” Strube says. Flynn, who enjoys tinkering with brewing equipment as much as he likes drinking beer, agrees. “If someone wants me to brew them a beer and they’ll chip in for the ingredients, I’ll give them the whole dang batch,” Flynn says. “It’s unlike any hobby I’ve ever experimented with. This one never gets old. At times, I think I enjoy brewing it more than I do drinking it.”
Please schedule your appointment now. We look forward to seeing you!
(913) 948-7766 Philip C. Gaus DDS 6844 Silverheel Street • Shawnee, KS 66226 www.gausdds.com
First you’ll need a beginning home brewing equipment kit. 6.5-gallon Ale Pail primary fermenter with drilled and grommeted lid 6.5-gallon Ale Pail bottling bucket with bottling spigot Easy Clean no-rinse cleanser airlock siphon and bottling setup home beer-making text hydrometer
twin lever capper liquid crystal thermometer bucket clip
brewing: two hours fermentation: two weeks bottling: one hour bottle conditioning (allows beer to carbonate): two to four weeks Information taken from www.homebrewing.org and the American Homebrewers Association, www.homebrewersassociation.org.
shawnee magazine
It will take about four weeks before you can drink the beer you make.
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bottle brush
is pleased to announce the opening of his Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery practice in Shawnee. He completed training with the United States Air Force in 1987, earned board certification in 1989 and has practiced in Lawrence and eastern Kansas since 1991. You are invited to stop by the new location for any of your treatment needs including extractions, implants and corrective jaw surgery.
Shawnee Oral Surgery, LC is located near the junction of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Kansas Highway 7.
Are you ready to brew?
Dr. Philip C. Gaus, DDS
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profiles story by katy ibsen photography by jason dailey
shawnee’s citizens’ sunflowerpub.com
Police Academy where everyone learns to keep the streets safe
shawnee magazine
Dan Tennis, captain in the Shawnee Police Department and commander of the Support Services Division, is like many Shawnee residents. He was born and raised in the area, considers the community a hometown, and values each and every citizen. Now he uses those characteristics to play a large role in the Citizens’ Police Academy. “The mission of the Citizens’ Police Academy is to expose those who participate to the depth and variety of work required by the police department to provide a feeling of safety and security to those who live and work in Shawnee,” he says, adding that this is the first year for the academy since 1998. Excited to see the program return, Shawnee Magazine interviews Captain Tennis about the academy.
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Men of the law and the Citizens Police Academy, from left, Lieutenant Doug Orbin, Greg Collins, planning and research manager, and Captain Dan Tennis.
What do citizens learn? They will learn the history and makeup of the police department—how the different divisions and special units function and support the mission of the police department. They will learn the need for ethics and professionalism in law enforcement. They will also meet some great people who care deeply about the community we live in.
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profiles They will hear about what it takes to train officers and maintain their certification. They will be exposed to patrol procedures and what officers in the most visible part of the department do and why. The participants also will receive information on the functions of our Investigations Bureau, Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Special Tactics and Response Team (STAR Team) and the Traffic Safety Unit (TSU). They will have an opportunity to spend time at the firearms range, get some hands-on experience with some department firearms, and learn about the various force options available to officers, and the factors which determine a reasonable use of those options. How long has the academy been in existence? The Citizens’ Police Academy in Shawnee originally ran from 1994 to 1998. It has returned this year. What was the purpose for beginning the academy? One part of our mission statement says, “We are honored to work in cooperation with our community.” The Citizens’ Police Academy is one way that allows us to live out our mission. How does this programming serve the community of Shawnee? When members of the community have an opportunity to learn more about the services their local government provides, they benefit from that knowledge. For the police department in particular, however, we need the community in order to do our jobs. There are a number of crimes solved every year in our city due to the direct involvement of a citizen or citizens—someone sees something suspicious and calls the police, provides a description or a witness statement, etc. Anything we can do that strengthens those ties to the community allows us to be more effective in providing our services and prevent future victimization in Shawnee.
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If you had one wish for the program, what would it be? That we could do it more often. Everyone at the police department enjoys the classes. We don’t even have to assign people to teach various topics; people volunteer and we have to turn some volunteers away. We would love to do it more often, but it is difficult with everything else we are doing.
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What was the most valuable thing you learned in the academy? What was the most difficult? I have taught at the academy before. I have fond memories of one academy class where they really got into our tactical demonstrations. What I learned is 99.9 percent of the citizens really like the police and they support us. Shawnee has a hometown feel to it, unlike any place I have ever been. The feeling is generated by the citizens and is the reason many people move to Shawnee to live, work and raise their families. The most difficult is fitting everything into the Citizens’ Academy in the time we have allotted. We have a schedule and are respectful of the class participants’ time. Most classes end at 9 p.m. and then people stand around for another hour or so talking and telling stories. We wish it was longer!
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Gettin’
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Rufus Teague is a rib-sticking barbecue sauce with good taste and a good story story by Kimberly Winter Stern
photography by jason dailey
Barbecue sauce. That’s right. This is a story about barbecue sauce—a hot commodity in Kansas City. Everyone has a flavor profile preference—tangy, sweet, spicy, smoky—and a favorite destination for burnt ends, pulled pork, ribs and beans. Consumption of ’cue is unabashedly legendary here. Every fall thousands of competitive souls descend on a sacred stretch of cement in the West Bottoms to out-smoke and out-rub one another for the mother of all trophies at the American Royal.
TOP right From grill master to sauce master, John McCone is the genius behind Rufus Teague barbecue sauce.
So what could possibly be said about barbecue sauce in a city where someone once declared there should be a designated day for the fountains to burble with the amber stuff? Two words: Rufus Teague. Bottled in a glass jar reminiscent of a whiskey flask is the sauce that Shawnee resident John McCone took from a casual weekend experiment to a bona fide contender in the world of elite barbecue. He dubbed it Rufus Teague, perhaps for McCone’s barbecueloving alter ego. He won’t divulge the exact origin of Rufus, but the sauce has collected some serious ribbons. McCone and his merry band of competitive smokers known as 3 Guys With Wood won the prestigious Lenexa Barbeque Battle in 2006 and 2008, walking away with the tasty title of Kansas State Champion. In between his two wins at the Lenexa championship—a great feat in the event’s 29-year history—McCone’s intriguing sauce grabbed the granddaddy of all awards in the barbecue world. “We were named the 2007 Sausage Champion at the American Royal,” says McCone, glancing at the massive trophy displayed on top of an armoire in his office. “There are hundreds of barbecue teams that
ABOVE right Ray Comiskey, executive chef/partner of the Capital Grille in Kansas City, Missouri, experiments with Rufus Teague’s meat rub.
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“I discovered Rufus Teague’s Touch O’Heat, which I consider a true KC-style sauce—not overly sweet or smoky.”
The Secret is in the Rub John McCone is a fan of the Capital Grille, that bastion of beefy elegance on the Country Club Plaza. Though it’s not a locally owned restaurant, plenty of folks from all parts of the city flock to its rich mahogany-paneled dining room for dry-aged steaks, superlative seafood and impeccable service. With its flawless and amicable personality, the Capital Grille is embraced as a hometown culinary powerhouse, and its executive chef/partner—Ray Comiskey—just happens to be a Shawnee resident. Comiskey leads a militaryprecision kitchen and is an integral part of the Capital Grille’s research and development corps. He is a member of the chef trio that developed and perfected one of the restaurant’s most popular entrées, the divine Bone-in Kona Crusted Dry Aged Sirloin with Caramelized Shallot Butter.
shawnee magazine
Enter McCone, center stage. Intrigued by Capital Grille’s signature dish’s distinctive rub, he decided to develop a coffee-based rub. Though it hasn’t yet reached his standard of perfection, McCone knows someday the Rufus Teague line will include a sauce inspired by his Shawnee neighbor’s culinary tour de force.
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travel the circuit, competing weekend after weekend. My team is recreational compared to them.” But McCone, an understated, soft-spoken guy, doesn’t play around with his sauce. Rufus Teague emerged gradually. McCone, father of two, dabbled in smoking meats after wife Michel gave him a smoker on Father’s Day in 1999. He took a shine to the ritual of perfecting sausages, ribs and chicken over slow-burning wood, using his work colleagues at Substation K, a post-production facility that edits commercials for major consumer brands, as a willing test audience. “They encouraged me to do something with my sauce,” says McCone, who cobbled together a team of two friends to launch 3 Guys with Wood at the 2002 Shawnee Great Griller’s Blues and Barbeque State Championship. “We didn’t expect to win anything, and at the awards ceremony kept saying, ‘Yeah, they’re saving the best for last’ as each winner was announced.” The slaphappy team of 3 Guys with Wood was giggling among themselves on that September -Michael day, reassuring one Kornick, another that winning DMK Burger Bar wasn’t everything. in Chicago So when the team placed first with a perfect score in the sausage category, the joke, as the saying goes, was on them. “From that point on I knew we were doing something right,” says McCone, a selfprofessed perfectionist who was still painstakingly tweaking his sauce and technique when Rufus wowed the Shawnee judges. In 2005 McCone and the boys won the coveted People’s Choice award at the Great American Barbecue Contest. That was the year that Rufus Teague found its way to the production line, debuting with the Honey Sweet variety. Barbecue fanatics can’t get enough of the gourmet sauces, also available in Touch O’Heat and Blazin’ Hot (according to McCone, one of the most potent on the market). McCone has added two meat rubs and two steak sauces to his lovingly executed brand and is working on new recipes.
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“Sometimes I just stand there in front of a shelf and grin.” -John McCone
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“I really didn’t think we’d make it in this market,” says McCone, referring to the flood of barbecue sauces of all varieties. “I figured it was oversaturated and that people weren’t interested in another option.” Original Juan on Southwest Boulevard, a manufacturer of specialty foods and sauces, bottles Rufus Teague. The sauce is sold across the metro, regionally at Whole Foods, nationally at Dean & DeLuca and online. Popular Overland Park restaurant Sunset Grill serves Rufus Teague on some of its best-selling burgers and sandwiches. Michael Kornick, chef/co-owner of DMK Burger Bar in Chicago, found a winner with McCone’s sauce. He slathers DMK’s top seller—an aged cheddar, smoked bacon and charred balsamic onion burger—with Rufus Teague. “I’m always searching for great products and have long respected the craft of barbecue,” says Kornick. “In the spring I make my own sauce for the summer season, and one day, in a hurry, I discovered Rufus Teague’s Touch O’Heat, which I consider a true KC-style sauce—not overly sweet or smoky. I use it in my kitchen at home, too.” Homegrown Rufus Teague may be in the big leagues as McCone has trotted it out to ballyhooed Fancy Foods Shows in San Francisco and Washington, D.C., but it’s still a family affair. Michel handles the business side, and sons Jackson and Zac help with store demos and are guinea pigs for new concoctions. McCone gets a kick from going into local Price Choppers, Hy-Vees and Hen Houses and seeing his product on shelves. “Sometimes I just stand there in front of a shelf and grin,” says McCone, who also receives pictures of Rufus sightings from friends and customers around the world—Australia, Switzerland, Sweden, Egypt, Germany, Alaska and Hawaii. “We’re just getting started,” says McCone, with a sly smile.
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www.rufusteague.com
DoWntoWn
BonneR SpRingS Spend the day with us!
Good Friends. Great Wine. Bottle 12 Wine Bar is close for a good time with friends. Less than 12 minutes away in downtown Bonner Springs! Isn’t it time to try something new?
Open Wednesday - Saturday 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm 913-667-8212
111 Oak Street • Bonner Springs, KS • www.bottle12.com
Moon Marble Company
10%
Marbles Traditional Toys & Games Gifts
off one item
(913) 441-0876 129 North Nettleton Ave. Bonner Springs, KS
600 East Front St. Bonner Springs, Kansas Just West of K-7 Highway on K-32 Highway
913-441-1432 www.moonmarble.com
Quilting, Fabrics, Notions, & Embroidery Specialist! Come see what is waiting for you in Bonner Springs. We have a full stock of quilting fabric, classes, quilt kits, gifts and much more!
NEW LARGER LOCATION! 207 Oak Street • Bonner Springs 913-422-4501 • www.sunflowereg.com
Our Family Caring for Your Family Now open in Bonner Springs and Edwardsville See www.degoler.com for other metro locations and additional information.
Formerly Miller Pharmacy.
All-you-cAn-eAt
Lunch Buffet • Monday through Friday Breakfast Buffet • Weekends Open Daily at 6am
209 Oak Street, Bonner Springs | 540 S. Fourth Street, Edwardsville
Discover our unique shopping and dining treasures. Just minutes north of Shawnee on K-7 Hwy. www.bonnersprings.org Downtown Specialty Retail Shops: 32 Hwy Exit on K-7 Hwy, Right on 32 (Front Street). Shops located on Front St., Oak St. and 100 Block of N. Nettleton.
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health
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fitness
High Rollers Kansas City Roller Warriors attracts gals from Shawnee
24 story by Kim Antisdel |
photography by jason dailey
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By day, they slip on blouses and skirts for day jobs like graphic designer, college student and even newscaster. But when the whistle blows to start a game, the Kansas City Roller Warriors trade in their nine-to-five heels for eight wheels, one track and a whole lot of grit.
On the Track The concept of the sport is reasonably straightforward— once you roll your mind around it. Two teams of five girls are on the track at one time for a “jam,” which lasts two minutes. Jammers, one for each team identified with a star on her helmet, are responsible for scoring points by passing their opponents on
shawnee magazine
The Confidence Kristin Clarke, aka “Eclipse,” is a Shawnee resident, graphic designer and member of the Dreadnought Dorothys. For someone who didn’t always love traditional sports, roller derby fit Clarke. “I saw the girls from the team handing out fliers at a First Friday’s [art] event downtown,” she says. “I was drawn to them like magnets. The way they dressed, their attitude, everything; they didn’t have perfect bodies, but they were so confident in their skin and proud.” Clarke knew she wanted to be a part of a group like the Roller Warriors simply because of what they represented—a group of girls just like her.
“No one ever picked me for Red Rover growing up. I’d plow right through everyone,” Clarke says. “There’s just something about this sport, how physical it is. If I hit someone out here as hard as I can, it’s a compliment to them. If you hit someone in the mall like that, they don’t really appreciate it.” For Clarke’s husband, James, it’s the perfect sport. “Some of my favorite moments have been that instant after she sends an opposing skater flying into the crowd,” he says. “There is a complete pride and joy knowing that’s my wife out there, doing something that just a handful of years ago we didn’t even know existed.” Small pieces of greatness earned on the track spill out into everyday life as well. James has seen the payoff from his wife’s efforts in more ways than one. “I see a level of self-confidence in her that wasn’t always there,” he says. “She can take on anything, and she knows it.”
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Since 2005, the Kansas City Roller Warriors have been entertaining audiences all over the state and the country. The league is made up of four all-female home teams: Dreadnought Dorothys, Knockouts, Black-Eye Susans and Victory Vixens. With nearly 80 members across the four teams, the blend of personalities is as diverse as each skater’s uniform. A mix of tight shorts, bright colors and even tutu skirts make for eye candy as spectators enjoy an action-packed game guaranteed to keep them on the edge of their seats.
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Where to Catch the Action All 2011 matches will be held at Municipal Auditorium, 301 W. 13th St., Kansas City, MO 64105.
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Doors open at 6 p.m., game begins at 7 p.m.
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www.kcrollerwarriors.com
LEFT Kristin Clarke, aka Eclipse, is all about the “jam” when she’s not working as a graphic designer. RIGHT Rachel Townsend, aka Track Rat, is a force to be reckoned with on the rink.
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the track. This would be simple enough were it not for blockers like Eclipse, who are strategically bumping and steering both their own and opposing team members around to keep their opponent from scoring. While it is true that roller derby involves a lot of physicality for blockers, smaller ladies shouldn’t count themselves out. “In this sport, a woman can be any shape, size, age or experience level,” Clarke says. “If you’re smaller and skinnier, you have to be more strategic. Someone who is very small can get low and in front of me to neutralize me.” Rachel Townsend is a full-time college student studying to be a high school biology teacher. With a small frame and nimbleness, her style of skating as a jammer on the Victory Vixens is a blocker’s worst nightmare. Townsend, who earned her nickname “Track Rat” in homage to her initials (RAT), joined the league after attending a game, but she never imagined the mental and physical gratification it would bring her. “This is my one place that I can go where if something is bugging me, it stays outside the doors,” Townsend says. “In real life I’m a huge goof-off and that’s still true here. Here, you get to be your true self.” The Team Of course, with a group of competitive women this large, being yourself might just get on someone’s nerves. “There’s always going to be drama because, really, we’re still a bunch of girls,” says Townsend.
Scarecrow Festival October
“There is a common respect that we all have. … You just leave every bit of you out on the track.” Both Track Rat and Eclipse are part of the Kansas City AllStar team, which is composed of the top members from the home teams. Currently the All Stars are regional champions and one of the top 10 teams in the world, an honor they don’t take lightly. Angela Miller, aka “Jade Lightning,” is a former Shawnee resident and All Stars member who understands the success. “This team feeds off each other; we push off each other to be stronger and better. The -Kristin Clarke more competitive the person you’re skating against is, the better it makes you in the end,” she says. For this incredible group of women, roller derby really is a metaphor for life. Sometimes you’re taking the hits and sometimes you’re dishing them out. Sometimes you’re skating like the wind, and sometimes you’re flat on your back. But no matter what, you can always count on your friends to help you get right back up.
“In this sport, a woman can be any shape, size, age or experience level.”
Nails Mirage Where Elegant Nails Begin
913-422-4471 5432 Roberts Street • Shawnee www.nailsmirage.com www.GoodStar tsHere.com
Tuesday - Friday 9:30-7:00 Saturday 9:30-6:00 • Sunday Noon-5
for the
story by Kelli White
Area activities perfect for families and fall-time fun
KC by Compass
family
a
s autumn approaches, temperatures cool and the foliage turns to warm hues, consider a day-trip for a lively adventure. Countless events from quaffing
apple cider to traveling spooky trails celebrate this beautiful season. Families and folks of all ages will enjoy exploring the festivity of fall—in all areas of the metro.
Applefest
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Weston, Missouri www.westonmo.com
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Ciderfest
Louisburg, Kansas www.louisburgcidermill.com
Spooktacular
Kingsville, Missouri www.powellgarden.org
Maple Leaf Festival
Baldwin City, Kansas www.mapleleaffestival.com
To the north—Applefest—Weston, Missouri In historic Weston, just 37 miles north of Shawnee, the annual Applefest celebrates the lost arts by offering an interactive experience that transports history to the present. Enjoy demonstrations from modern weavers, blacksmiths, potters, jewelry makers, carvers and much more. Local artisans display their distinctive talents and trades. Music resounds throughout the day, activities for the kids flourish in the park, and plenty of fall treats, such as homemade apple butter and Weston’s famous apple dumplings, are savory temptations for any palate. The quaint town of Weston is a must-see, and Applefest is the perfect time to peruse its antiquated cityscape. Community members are proud of this family-friendly event, showcasing their homemade goods and sharing their town’s historic roots. “The whole community is involved,” says Mary Jo Heidrick, committee member. “The Applefest is unique because all vendors must make their items. Each craft is unique to the artist.” The 23rd annual Applefest kicks off with the parade at 10 a.m. October 1, and festivities begin at 11 a.m. October 2. Admission is free, though donations are encouraged. To the south—Ciderfest—Louisburg, Kansas Louisburg, a short 37-minute drive south of Shawnee, is where apple cider warms your soul and sarsaparilla takes you back to a simpler time. Here the annual Ciderfest is an event that was founded to celebrate the harvest of apples. The celebration hasn’t slowed but rather has grown to include a corn maze, pumpkin patch, barbecue booths and more than 60 arts and crafts vendors and live music, among other things.
left A view of Applefest in Weston, Missouri, where heritage meets fall flavors and entertainment. Photo courtesy of Mary Jo Heidrick
for the
family
To the west—Maple Leaf Festival—Baldwin City, Kansas Mother Nature’s main attraction is her foliage, and fall is the time of the year she makes her biggest splash. Located just south of Lawrence in Baldwin City, the Maple Leaf Festival commemorates this beauty the third weekend of October. One of the oldest and largest free-running festivals in the area, the Maple Leaf Festival celebrates over 50 years with more than 300 crafts booths, carnival, quilt show, kids’ zone and tons of shopping for all ages. This is one festival that gives back in more ways than fun. Money raised from vendor booth rentals goes directly back to the community’s schools, nonprofit organizations and churches, to name a few. Two scholarships are awarded to a high-school junior boy and girl each year, thanks to funds from the festival. “The total amount of donations that the Maple Leaf Festival gives back into the community each year is into the thousands,” says Joanna Vesecky, vice chair of the festival. Come ride the rails on the historic Midland Railroad ride, watch the parade, run the 5k and enjoy the beauty of fall with the whole family. The Maple Leaf Festival is scheduled for October 15–16.
CENTER Spooktacular at Powell Gardens brings plenty of Halloween characters together, but none more favored that Alice and her Wonderland friends. Photo courtesy of Powell Gardens RIGHT The Louisburg Cider Mill is the scene of Ciderfest, a family fun event that honors the harvest of the area’s many orchards. Photo courtesy of Louisburg Cider Mill
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To the east—Spooktacular—Kingsville, Missouri Head east of Shawnee about 48 minutes to discover a slice of nature that celebrates every season of the heartland. Powell Gardens, Kansas City’s own botanical garden, has hosted its annual Halloween Spooktacular since 1986. More than 170 hand-carved pumpkins and over a mile of twinkling lights illuminate an evening of storytelling and spooky adventure. Through the years, this family tradition has expanded to take on a life of its own. “Volunteers and staff have pitched in to create costumes, write skits and act out fairy tales for young trick-or-treaters. Last year, over 850 children and adults came to enjoy the family-friendly stories and the lighted walk,” says Eric Jackson, director of education at Powell Gardens.
“For our silver anniversary, Powell Gardens will include over a dozen super-sized pumpkins, new and favorite skits and even more treats,” he says. Tours offered on October 14 and 15. Space is limited on the Spooktacular tours and admission is required. To make a reservation call (816) 697-2600 ext. 209.
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“The Ciderfest is just good family fun,” says Tom Schierman, co-owner of the Louisburg Cider Mill. “It’s a fun escape where people can enjoy the countryside and support local foods.” According to Schierman, kids love watching the cider operation, but there are plenty of other activities to keep them smiling. From pony rides and face painting to navigating this year’s themed “Wizard of the Corn” maze, Ciderfest celebrates a country harvest at its finest. The Ciderfest spans two weekends, September 24–25 and October 1–2, beginning each morning at 8 a.m. with a pancake breakfast organized as a fundraiser for the Louisburg Lions Club. Ciderfest is free to attend, but the fee for the corn maze and other children’s activities is $8 per person (family discount packages are available).
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get
away
steep
Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but this icy sparkler is a true gem
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story by Gloria Gale
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get
deep Lake Tahoe, known
away nevada Lake Tahoe
california
as “the jewel of the Sierras,” is a destination with awe-inspiring power. Born out of a tumultuous geological past, this high-alpine glacial area has elicited its share of adjectives. Perhaps no one described it better than Mark Twain, who declared, “I thought it must surely be the fairest picture the whole earth affords.” Set against a backdrop of the Sierra Nevada range straddling the California–Nevada border, the entire Tahoe basin brings new meaning to the phrase “picture perfect.” Bowing to nature’s pace, Tahoe never feels frantic. The soaring Sierras and deep azure water lure enthusiasts who flood the 72-mile shoreline.
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Ski Like a Local Ringed by the aptly named Sierra Nevada, Spanish for “snowy mountain range,” Tahoe is one of the snowiest regions in the range, receiving 20 feet at 6,000 feet annually. Thanks to a generous handful of world-famous ski resorts, downhill and cross-country skiing do a brisk business.
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Boomtown The elegant ecosystem of the area afforded abundant hunting grounds for the indigenous Washoe tribe, generations before the California gold rush lured prospectors to the area. Seemingly overnight, Tahoe became honeycombed with mines, and by the turn of the century, gold and logging made many residents wealthy. The industries were eventually depleted, though, leaving tourism as the only one with promise. The lake’s crystalline beauty became a major draw to elite northern Californians seeking a scenic getaway. Gambling halls and saloons gave way to lush resorts, yet the area remained a relatively obscure destination. Its profile was significantly boosted by two major events: casinos sprang up in l950 on the South Shore, and Squaw Valley hosted the l960 Winter Olympic Games.
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away Forty years after the winter games, the classic and historical Squaw Valley on Tahoe’s North Shore remains a premier ski destination, touting challenging slopes and a genteel European ambiance. But even non-skiers can find adventure here with exquisite dining, luxurious shopping and a multitude of other winter activities (tubing, dogsledding, ice skating and snowmobiling). Heavenly Mountain, with a massive 4,800 acres of skiable terrain, offers sweeping vistas high above the lake, often transfixing visitors with jaw-dropping views. As the biggest ski resort in the state of California, Heavenly straddles the state’s border with Nevada. Families are the focus for this mountain that caters to the intermediate skiing crowd. Kirkwood, 45 minutes from South Shore, is less crowded than Heavenly and popular among extreme skiers; this resort features an authentic, rugged experience. No glitz, no glam, just heartpounding chutes. Another family-friendly resort is Sierra at Tahoe. There’s plenty of room to experience runs, a high-energy snowboard park and tree lines full of light-as-air powder within 2,000 skiable acres.
nevada
Where to go Squaw Valley | www.squaw.com
Lake Tahoe
Heavenly Valley | www.skiheavenly.com
Kirkwood Mountain | www.kirkwood.com Sierra-at-Tahoe | www.sierraattahoe.com
california
Lake Tahoe Adventures | www.laketahoeadventures.com
Zephyr Cove Snowmobiling Center | www.zephyrcove.com Husky Express | www.highsierra.com/sst/ Borges Sleigh Rides | www.sleighride.com
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Party Like a Local Snugly placed along the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe are the big flashy casinos. Summon Lady Luck as the dice tumble at Harveys Resort and Casino, Horizon, Lakeside Inn, MontBleu Resort, Harrah’s and the famous CalNeva, where Frank Sinatra and his rat pack often held court. Blend in like a local and soak in the Tahoe lifestyle, combining outdoor activities with indoor entertainment ranging from live music, casual to fine dining, art galleries and improv comedy clubs. Gather for breakfast at the Red Hut Café, Ernie’s Coffee Shop or Driftwood Café before heading to Kirkwood or Sierra-at-Tahoe. Explore stunning lake views from Heavenly before an early evening meal at Off the Hook or Naked Fish for sushi and sake. When night falls, visit Tudor Pub for local bands or dance until dawn inside Vex nightclub at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe. Stay and play like a local in this world-class outdoor playground set against a humbling natural wonderland.
Orbitz Insider Ski Index, the nation’s premier travel destination website, has named Lake Tahoe the No. 1 ski destination for the past two years. In 2008, TripAdvisor rated Lake Tahoe the “No. 1 Travel Destination in the U.S.” and the “No. 10 Destination Worldwide.”
Photographs: ShutterStock
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Play Like a Local Off the slopes local escapades abound. Lake Tahoe Adventures in Hope Valley offers back-country guided snowmobile tours through the scenic basin. Four miles from the casinos, Zephyr Cove Resort Snowmobile Center tours offer outstanding views of the lake at 9,000 feet; daytime and moonlight snowmobile tours available. When the buzz is too much, dash silently through the snow in a horse-drawn antique sleigh. The Borges family has been in business for 40 years pulling folks over the meadow and through the woods in their old-fashioned sleighs led by teams of gentle Belgian horses. Or go to the dogs. Husky Express, helmed by Dotty Dennis, a 30-year veteran musher, pulls sleds for a one-hour run through the wilderness from South Lake Tahoe. Finally, take a spin at Heavenly Village’s outdoor-lit ice-skating rink, a nice alternative to the downhill scene.
Mary Lies of Mercato Italian Antiques and Artifacts
Bringing
Italy H o m e
Story by Claire M. Caterer | Photography by Jason Dailey
I
magine using a 1910 Milanese icebox as a mini pantry. Or locking
your secrets in a 19th-century desk that once sat in a Tuscan train station. Mary Lies, proprietor of Mercato Italian Antiques and Artifacts in De Soto, can make it happen. Simply put, Lies says, “We go to Italy. We find great things. We bring them home.”
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The Italian word mercato translates to “market,” and that’s what Mary has created in her wide, high-ceilinged space that mimics a warehouse with gray-washed walls and wood floors. She began the business in 2003 because Italian antiques were so scarce in the United States, and today Mercato showcases pieces that Mary imports from Italy herself. “You could find English antiques, you could find French antiques,” she says. “There wasn’t anyone specializing in Italian antiques and that is what I liked.” Mary, 47, fell in love with the country of her ancestors when she spent a college year abroad in Florence. These days, she travels a couple of times a year to Italy, bases herself in Florence and hunts down unique items mostly from Tuscany and the surrounding area. Longtime customer Carrie Brous is amazed that such an unusual resource sits in downtown De Soto. “She should be in New York City or LA. But I’m glad she’s not, because it keeps her prices so reasonable.”
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Mary Lies, proprietor of Mercato Italian Antiques and Artifacts.
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M e r c a t o Italian Antiques & Artifacts
33071 W. 83rd St. De Soto | (913) 583-1511 www.mercatoantiques.com 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Wednesday–Friday or by appointment
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Carrie has purchased several items from Mercato and values Mary’s judgment. “She has exquisite taste,” she says. “She knows color and incorporating antiques with modern elements.” Mary’s design resources help her customers fit these Italian pieces into their current décor. When Carrie bought several terra-cotta roof tiles, Mary connected her with someone who crafted them into unique wall sconces. Jill Phillips also appreciates that Mary looks at the functionality of each piece. “I’ve never seen anyplace like hers,” says Jill. While Mary’s husband, Tim, and other family members help at the shop, her vision is what carries it. “I buy what I love,” she says. “My store is ‘Italy according to Mary.’” Walking around her showroom, Mary praises the craftsmanship of her pieces. “Nothing in Italy was manufactured,” she says, recalling an oversize bookcase that “was never in a store. It was made for someone’s home.” Unlike other dealers, Mary doesn’t frequent the overseas antique shows. Instead she relies on a network of Italian contacts to discover unusual yet beautiful “I buy what I love. objects. There’s no substitute, My store is ‘Italy she says, for getting to know a craftsman and learning the secrets according to Mary.’” of his trade. One Italian friend recently worked on restoring the – Mary Lies altar at Florence’s Basilica di Santa Croce. “They’re masters,” says Mary. “They know everything.” Once she’s made a personal connection with a craftsman, he’ll put aside special pieces for her, whether it’s a wrought-iron chandelier or a small ladder once used for harvesting figs. Mary finds items that other dealers likely won’t see. Displayed at the front of the store is a framed page of 17th century parchment depicting Gregorian chant painted in the square notation prevalent at the time. The object is unique in itself, but that’s nothing to the workmanship it represents, which can’t be reproduced today. “You could never find someone to make that for you today,” she says, adding that the skills and materials just don’t exist anymore.
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a touch of
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The Buon Ricordo plates are one of Mercato’s more amusing items. Buon Ricordo, which means “good memory,” is a union of Italian restaurants formed in 1964. Each ceramic plate commemorates a particular restaurant’s house specialty and location. Mercato has collected dozens of designs from all over Italy. Their colorful, hand-painted images make them a coveted collector’s item.
In addition to artistic pieces and architectural salvage, Mercato specializes in seating, tables, religious objects, lighting and ceramics. Almost all are antique; the rest evoke some part of Italy that touches Mary’s heart. Her newest project is a line of tableware she’s having made that echoes designs from 15th-century ceramics. The pieces will be hand thrown and hand painted, a Mercato original that links to the past. Some enthusiasts deal in elaborate baroque or rococo objects, but Mary’s taste tends to the classic lines of functional pieces. An 18th-century Tuscan dining table hints at big celebrations. “I’m always curious about a piece,” she says. “How many people sat down to this table to have a great meal?” That’s the kind of information she brings home with her finds, which is part of her value as a direct importer. Jill Phillips likens Mercato to a museum and Mary to a curator. “Every time you go there it’s a different experience. She knows the story behind every piece.”
A GreAt MArketinG tool for your Business to advertise contact sunflowerpub.com
Mary Hay E-Mail: mhay@sunflowerpub.com Phone: 913.631.1611
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sHawnee
magazine
Such stories evoke the Italian lifestyle that Mary adores. “Italians are the best,” she says. “They really value time with their friends and families. They live with things that are important to them. They live with family heirlooms.” Mary and her family echo that spirit, opening the store to various events and hosting large dinners in their own home. Mercato’s clients want to bring that way of life into their own living rooms. “A lot of customers come if they really want and value unique things,” Mary says. “Something different, something authentic, well made, that has character.” But it’s more than that. Once you’ve experienced Italy, according to Mary, you want to hold on to it. “If you can just have a beautiful piece from that place that captures a wonderful moment in time spent in Italy, that’s what people want and love.”
story by Kimberly photography by
Winter Stern
Jason Dailey
jobs that get
downanddirty downanddirty those seeking a squeaky-clean occupation need not apply
Wanted: Patient animal lover to wrangle large canines and handle petite pooches following a romp in the dog park. Job hazards include sticky burrs and the aroma from dogs rolling around in unidentified objects.
Wanted: Motivated individual to orchestrate the daily distribution of waste from 800 trash haulers in an almost 900-acre landfill. Must be detail-oriented and work in snow, rain and blistering heat. Weak sense of smell is an advantage.
Wanted: Problem solver who enjoys working on temperamental machines that people depend on. Must be adept at using a variety of tools that include—but are not limited to—hand tools; power tools; computer diagnostic and machine tools; pneumatic wrenches; and screwdrivers, pliers, welders, lathes and grinders.
Or this job, where the client needs to be hosed down and brushed to be presentable—and at times is unruly:
Meet these people who are up to their elbows in dirty work every day—and wouldn’t have it any other way.
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Or perhaps this job, where oil and grease present tough stain challenges on work clothes, and fingernails sometimes sport permanent dark arcs:
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N
ot all professions are neat and tidy, requiring business attire and a clientready appearance. There are germy jobs, disgusting jobs and downright undesirable jobs. But even in work where grime is constant, satisfaction comes from the same place as in other careers: a job well done. Consider this occupation, where working with the detritus of the human race is an everyday task:
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Donovan’s Service Pat Donovan, Owner
Donovan’s Service: www.facebook.com/pages/DonovansService/118868174790499
Being a third-generation mechanic is part of Pat Donovan’s DNA. The Shawnee resident owns Donovan’s Service, a fixture in the community since 1935, when his grandfather, William Albinus “Albabe” Donovan, opened the doors of the fullservice station. Though Donovan’s stopped filling up cars in 1997, it remains a wellrespected service station, working on cars of all makes and models five days a week from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Work is usually scheduled a week out, and though Pat doesn’t know the exact number of cars Donovan’s has worked on during the past 76 years, he says one group of invoices issued to customers is at number 77,000. Pat started working for his father, William “Dub,” at age 14, washing windows of Buicks and Pontiacs and helping with odd jobs. His son, John, and nephew, William Nealey, now work full-time in the shop. The elder Donovan ensures the fourth generation understands the importance of customer satisfaction, leading by example. “I was brought up in the tradition of excellent customer service,” says Pat, whose wife, Janet, handles the business side. “It’s a tough business and I was taught that the customer is number one.” The 9,000-square-foot mechanic’s shop is in the same location that Pat’s grandfather relocated Donovan’s to in 1937, but with a modern twist and computerized equipment. Pat added on to the building. “This remodel mimics the original space, maintaining the integrity of what my grandfather built,” says Pat, pointing to the corner window, a familiar statement to customers and passersby on Nieman Road that remains intact. “Now we can accommodate nine cars, and squeeze in 12 during the winter months.” Donovan’s employs five full-time mechanics and one part-timer. Dennis Steffens has worked for the shop the longest, starting with Pat’s dad in 1988. What about those dirty hands that bear the stamp of a day spent working on cars? “We used to clean our hands with white gas, powdered solvents and harsh soaps,” says Pat. “Now we use an eco-friendly product. My hands are almost Palmolive soft.”
Deffenbaugh Industries Larry Kissick, Landfill Manager
Larry Kissick, a 15-year employee of Shawnee’s Deffenbaugh Industries, doesn’t notice the pungent smells that waft through the air on a windy day at the nearly 900acre plot of land that’s been collecting Kansas City’s trash since 1957. The Johnson County Landfill, located at Interstate 435 and Holliday Drive, is the largest—and safest—of its kind in the Midwest. Deffenbaugh Industries owns and operates the landfill, which has more than 800 trucks rumble through its gates daily. Larry, a down-to-earth guy, says trash moving is just like delivering the mail— inclement weather doesn’t stop progress. His staff of 30 people operates Bobcats, large graders and other heavy equipment that efficiently excavates holes, and builds and compacts a mountain of solid waste. “We’ve worked on the same hole for about 18 months,” he says. “We’re open 24/7 to accept waste our haulers gather from residents and commercial accounts.” Once the hole is completely filled and compacted, it will be covered and grass will grow, concealing its contents. In case you’re itching for a bit of trash trivia, Larry shares a staggering number. “On average we bury nearly 5,000 tons of trash daily,” he says. That’s a lot of household and commercial waste that trash flippers collect day in and day out from suburban curbs and businesses. According to Larry, the type of trash collected during his 15 years in the business has changed, though large objects still show up among the common elements of waste. “Recycling reduces the appliances, yard equipment, glass and cardboard in the landfill,” says Larry, who enjoys the everyday challenges of life at Deffenbaugh Industries. “I like my job; I really like what I do.”
Deffenbaugh Industries: www.deffenbaughindustries.com
Bubbles Mobile Dog Wash KC Linda Toombs, Owner
Bubbles Mobile Dog Wash KC: www.bubbles2kcmobiledogwash.com
The scene at Shawnee Mission Park’s off-leash dog area is downright bucolic. Canines of every size and shape bound through 53 acres of tall prairie grasses, sniffing intriguing scents on the path and chasing Frisbees. When playtime is over, owners—like Mark Paul of Shawnee— leave with an exhausted dog that has the park embedded in its fur. That’s when Bubbles Mobile Dog Wash KC, a solar-powered canine powder room on wheels, is a sight for sore eyes and a dirty dog. Situated at the west end of the heavily trafficked dog park is the brightly colored vehicle outfitted with a pressure washer and sprayer. Operational from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through November, the service welcomes all dogs, like Paul’s husky, Sabia, who is ready for a run through the spin cycle after a morning of tussling and exploring. Linda Toombs, a dog aficionado, pet sitter and owner of Bubbles Mobile Dog Wash KC, had the custom truck built by an entrepreneur in Florida. She offers selfservice but says most dog owners want her to do the dirty work—massaging organic shampoo and conditioner through their pet’s coats. “It’s a perfect setup,” says Linda, whose boxer, Stella, and mixed terrier, Sally, are both customers of the speedy dog wash. “This unit is specially designed with a raised platform that provides a barrier between me and the dog, but still makes them accessible.” The pit underneath the platform allows water, mud and debris to collect— gray water that Linda hauls away from the park. The truck receives a cleansing from an organic disinfectant following each wash to ensure a sanitary environment. “I get dirty,” says Linda, who loves seeing the deep emotional attachments between owners and pets. “A dog likes to shake once they’re wet, so I’m covered in water and fur, but that’s okay. It’s my job.” Paul loves the convenience of Bubbles Mobile Dog Wash KC and the price tag. “For $15, Sabia and I can take fun memories home without taking pieces of the park,” he says.
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www.villagewestliquors.com | 913.721.5288 | 11010 Parallel Parkway | Kansas City, KS 66109
Photographs: ShutterStock
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Saturday, October 22
Holiday Treasures Craft Festival
I
f you’re looking for something special, local and handmade this holiday season, be sure to visit the Holiday Treasures Craft Festival at the Shawnee Civic Centre. This annual event celebrates its 12th year as local artisans display and sell beautiful handcrafted items. Admission is free; crafters and artists must register through Shawnee Parks and Recreation to obtain a booth. The festival is 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday, October 22.
Shawnee Civic Centre 13817 Johnson Dr.
All events are subject to change. E-mail your upcoming events for the calendar to shawneemagazine@sunflower.com
New patients bring this ad for a free first-aid kit.*
*While supplies last.
http://www.cityofshawnee.org/WEB/ShawneeCMS.nsf/vwContent/ HolidayTreasuresCraftFestival?OpenDocument
www.ShawneeKSChamber.com | www.GoodStartsHere.com
Be a superhero at the
2011 Business Expo.
Thursday, October 6 | 2—7 p.m. | Shawnee Civic Centre, 13817 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS 66216
Connect with the community. Network with business leaders. Tour the expressions Art Gallery, sponsored by The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Go green with eco-friendly exhibitors. Make an impression. Live your brand. Experience Expo.
Exhibitor booths available.
Contact the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce for availability.
FREE to the public to attend. Thank you to the Presenting Sponsor,
15100 W. 67th St. | Suite 202 | Shawnee, KS 66217 | p 913.631.6545 | info@shawneekschamber.com